Tim Williams wrote:TfNSW's and may be CDC's preference for CDI's might might be due to the higher seating + standing capacity of the CDI's (within allowable weights) due to the twin steer layout, compared to the normal 3 axle DD's. I still find them a wonderfully innovative design that came up an "outside of the box" layout that maximize capacity within our restrictive axle weights. I would be interested to know if CDI's are the only DD's on the "Panel". Now I no longer have Murtons, I naturally have no TfNSW access.

The two latest CDI's for Skybus, nos. 150 and 151 are quoted as H61/17DW compared to all their others at H53/10DW - I presume they must longer buses - 12.8 or 13mtrs perhaps??

Tim, these two CDI are for Avalon Airport and only have 1 stair fitted. This is why it have 61 seats on upper deck.

Thanks for that. It is interesting that the more recent of Hong Kong's deckers seat 59 upstairs and the legroom is tight, noticeably so at the front - but they are 12mtrs vs. the CDI's at 12.3Mtrs. Whereas Singapore has remained at 55 upstairs.

Tim Williams wrote:TfNSW's and may be CDC's preference for CDI's might might be due to the higher seating + standing capacity of the CDI's (within allowable weights) due to the twin steer layout, compared to the normal 3 axle DD's. I still find them a wonderfully innovative design that came up an "outside of the box" layout that maximize capacity within our restrictive axle weights. I would be interested to know if CDI's are the only DD's on the "Panel". Now I no longer have Murtons, I naturally have no TfNSW access.

The two latest CDI's for Skybus, nos. 150 and 151 are quoted as H61/17DW compared to all their others at H53/10DW - I presume they must longer buses - 12.8 or 13mtrs perhaps??

Part of this success would be due to the fact that they were the only weight compliant vehicles available at the time. Changes to the rules may have opened up the market to others.

The Sydney Classic and Antique Truck (and Bus) ShowOn again June 2019@ The Museum of Fire.

When I initially compiled the list, I did it purely for my own interest, to see how many DD's there are now operating (or soon to be operating) route services in this country, hence there is not much detail around the chassis types and body specs.

Do remember that it was only a few years ago that a s/hand Denning DD in full TransPerth livery was the only DD operating a metro/urban type route service, until the railway line to Mandurah (I think) was built.

I then decided to add the city sightseeing and airport buses, but I deliberately excluded those night party deckers, because they do nothing for the image of DD's and buses in general, being often full of half-drunk young people and also they mostly seem to be in a run down condition, just seeing their last operational days out (for a few bucks!).

I also excluded the older Denning, Volgren, Setra and MAN low height coach deckers, as they are scattered all over the place, since their initial sales to Deluxe, Grehound, Kirklands and others - so reiterating and adding to the first comment above, this list was more to look at the return of the urban decker in Australia, than anything else.

Small numbers of modern deckers have been built for both charter/day tours and school work and perhaps these should be added to the list - the ones that I am aware of are:1. 4 x Denning Manufacturing - Thompsons, Brisbane2. 1 x Denning Manufacturing - Port Stephens Coaches NSW3. 1 x Denning Manufacturing - East Coast operator ???? 4. 1 x MCA (Motorcoach) - Drivers Melbourne (in Grayline livery)

I am aware of the RML - but is it a full time local charter or more of a preserved bus, like the Sydney Museum + ex Hong Kong buses??

Tim, it is an excellent compilation. I agree with your reasoning that it should focus on "modern" vehicles, rather than recycled oldies.

The RML does come under the latter group. It appears to be a preservation project that is registered and accredited for unrestricted charter use, but probably only used for its novelty value. There was an RTL here in similar circumstances a few years ago, but it has been neglected by the owners and is now only available for locatable static hire.

The Sydney Classic and Antique Truck (and Bus) ShowOn again June 2019@ The Museum of Fire.

I then decided to add the city sightseeing and airport buses, but I deliberately excluded those night party deckers, because they do nothing for the image of DD's and buses in general, being often full of half-drunk young people and also they mostly seem to be in a run down condition, just seeing their last operational days out (for a few bucks!).

Possibly a tad harsh - in Melbourne at least the Dee Decker double deckers were used for daytime charters to kindergartens and the like. Here is a picture I took after my daughter's kinder tour in 2011:

As I said, I am really trying to show the progress of new urban double deckers and I do appreciate that a lot of ex UK DD's were imported into this country, some of which are still roadworthy - I actually got involved with one myself, that was very successful!!

Tim Williams wrote:...Do remember that it was only a few years ago that a s/hand Denning DD in full TransPerth livery was the only DD operating a metro/urban type route service, until the railway line to Mandurah (I think) was built...

Actually, 2 DDs, TP1137 dates from 1989 ex-APT Victoria, and was drafted into the Transperth fleet in 1998, TP1138 dates from 1991, ex-AAT Kings. These were operated out of Southern Coast's (Veolia/Transdev) Mandurah Depot and mainly operated the Route 107 Limited Stops between Perth-Mandurah and the 867 when the 107 was renumbered. These were sold off when the Mandurah Line opened on 23 December 2007. Both initially went to South West Coach Lines (Veolia), then 1137 went to ATG Downunder for their Uluru tour service in 2016. As for 1138, it is reportedly sitting in Stan Biega Bus and Coach Sales in Kenthurst NSW.

I then decided to add the city sightseeing and airport buses, but I deliberately excluded those night party deckers, because they do nothing for the image of DD's and buses in general, being often full of half-drunk young people and also they mostly seem to be in a run down condition, just seeing their last operational days out (for a few bucks!).

Possibly a tad harsh - in Melbourne at least the Dee Decker double deckers were used for daytime charters to kindergartens and the like. Here is a picture I took after my daughter's kinder tour in 2011:

I think you should look up a couple of articles on the Net regarding Dee Decker Tours before suggesting I am being a tad harsh!!

List updated again, with new Denning Manufacturing and MCA DD Coaches. On Denning Manufacturing's website - Product information, details are provided for two double deck types:1. Coach - (as per Thompson's) and they quote passenger capacity including standees of 110 and an overall height of 4.3mtrs (the Thompson's ones look lower than that, to me)2. Urban - Full length seating on both decks, seating capacity of up to 100 passengers (axle weight ok???) and a height of 4.4mtrs - I presume none have been ordered or built.

I think you should look up a couple of articles on the Net regarding Dee Decker Tours before suggesting I am being a tad harsh!!

With respect, I was commenting on your comments about older double decker buses being "night party deckers, because they do nothing for the image of DD's and buses in general, being often full of half-drunk young people and also they mostly seem to be in a run down condition, just seeing their last operational days out (for a few bucks!)." being a tad harsh given they have other uses, before providing such an example. I am familiar with DeeDecker's current situation.

I think if this is the level of conversation about this topic, then all I can do is wish you luck in keeping your list of modern deckers up to date.